Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2019
April 2019. New York City, Samsung 837, Columbia University, and the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum
Empire was thrilled to once again work with Samsung on their annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest. The nationwide competition motivates students to use S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to approach solutions to real-world issues impacting their communities. Participating students from the Top 10 schools flew to New York City from all over the country to pitch their ideas to a panel of carefully selected judges.
After months of hard work, problem-solving and preparation, the finalists kicked off the trip pitching at Samsung 837. After welcoming remarks, the students began presenting their ideas and prototypes in front of the panel of esteemed judges. Their youthful genius was revealed through a variety of innovative solutions developed using S.T.E.M. disciplines, all of which displayed qualities of empathy, safety, forethought, and kindness.
The next day was filled with buzzing energy as the students experienced NYC from a personalized bus tour and had lunch and a milkshake at Mom’s kitchen before heading over to the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum, where the students, along with SFT Alumni, Teachers and Partners presented on stage, and at tables in Hangar 3 as part of the first Solve For Tomoprrow STEM Fair.
The day was full of interviews with the finalists, presentations by former contestants and interactive displays of each prototype. A break in the program allowed students and teachers to explore the museum on private tours. When the group returned to the Hangar, the space had transitioned into a reception and awards ceremony, where after dinner, the three winning schools were announced. Each of the ten national finalist schools were awarded $50,000 in Samsung technology, and the top three winners each won a total of $100,000 in Samsung technology.
In addition to the student programs, this year marked the premiere of the first-ever Teacher’s Academy programming. These programs demonstrate the ways teachers can ignite a passion for S.T.E.M. in their classrooms through fun, educational, hands-on projects like the Hot Air Balloon experiment demonstrated by previous teacher contestants. A panel discussion took place to further explore ways to engage youth in S.T.E.M. education. Programs for the teachers were held at Samsung 837 and on the beautiful campus of Columbia University.
Empire was humbled to again collaborate with Samsung Solve for Tomorrow to produce the final events at Samsung 837, Columbia University, and the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum.
To see more of the students’ work, click the link below:
https://www.samsung.com/us/solvefortomorrow/